maintain contact

USAGE SUMMARY

"maintain contact" is correct and usable in written English.
You can use it when you want to refer to keeping in touch with someone or staying in communication with them. Example sentence: My family and I try to maintain contact by speaking every day.

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Formal & Business

Encyclopedias

Wiki

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

55 human-written examples

'You have to maintain contact.

The Guardian

Nosaka's father did not maintain contact, and remarried.

Independent

To maintain contact, Ben secured an illegal mobile phone.

The Guardian

He is directed to climb to 2,000 feet and maintain contact with the tower.

The New York Times

"In addition, one foot has to maintain contact with the ground at all times.

The New York Times

"Businesses should look at how they maintain contact and bring women back into the workforce.

The Guardian

He last saw Adam in October 2010 and wanted to maintain contact with him.

The Guardian

To enable grandparents to maintain contact with grandchildren when families split up.

The Guardian

The lodge now depends entirely on satellite phones to maintain contact with the outside world.

The New York Times - Tech

Or, in other words, how many people can tweeters maintain contact with before they get overwhelmed?

MIT Technology Review

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

1 human-written examples

Do you maintain contact with him in person?

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Specify the frequency and method for maintaining contact. For example, "We will maintain contact through weekly email updates and monthly video conferences."

Common error

While "maintain contact" is acceptable in most situations, avoid using it excessively in casual conversations where simpler alternatives like "stay in touch" might sound more natural.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "maintain contact" is a verb phrase, acting as a predicate in a sentence. It describes the action of sustaining communication or connection. Ludwig examples show it used in various contexts, from personal relationships to professional interactions.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

31%

Science

27%

Wiki

16%

Less common in

Formal & Business

12%

Encyclopedias

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "maintain contact" is a grammatically correct and very common verb phrase used to describe the act of sustaining communication or connection. According to Ludwig, it is applicable across a wide range of contexts, including news, science, and business, as evidenced by the numerous examples provided. While versatile, it leans towards a more professional or neutral register compared to alternatives like "stay in touch". When writing, it's crucial to define the method and frequency of contact, especially in formal settings. Overusing the phrase in casual settings should be avoided, as simpler alternatives may sound more natural.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

stay in touch

Replaces "maintain contact" with a more informal expression indicating continued communication.

keep in communication

Indicates ongoing communication but slightly more formal than "stay in touch".

remain in contact

Similar meaning, but emphasizes the state of being in contact rather than the act of maintaining it.

keep the lines open

Implies readiness for communication; focuses on availability.

continue communication

Focuses on the continuation of an existing communication flow.

preserve communication

Stresses effort to avoid losing the connection.

connect periodically

Emphasizes regular, scheduled communications.

exchange information regularly

Focuses on the exchange of data or news at consistent intervals.

keep the connection alive

A more metaphorical alternative, suggesting that active effort is needed.

sustain communication

Highlights the endurance aspect of communication.

FAQs

What does "maintain contact" mean?

The phrase "maintain contact" means to keep in communication with someone or something regularly, ensuring that the connection is sustained over time.

What are some alternatives to "maintain contact"?

You can use alternatives such as "stay in touch", "keep in communication", or "remain in contact" depending on the context.

How do you use "maintain contact" in a sentence?

Example: "It is important to maintain contact with your family while you are traveling abroad." Another example: "The company aims to maintain contact with its customers through regular newsletters."

Is "maintain contact" formal or informal?

The phrase "maintain contact" is generally considered neutral and can be used in both formal and informal contexts, although it might sound slightly more formal than "stay in touch".